NFL Player News
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Quentin Johnston WR | LAC
Chargers' Quentin Johnston: Progressing in concussion protocol
Johnston (concussion) did individual drills at practice Thursday, Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports.
It's a sign of progress through the concussion protocol after a hard hit knocked him out of Saturday's preseason loss to the Rams. The quick return to practice, even in a limited capacity, suggests Johnston is on track for Week 1 against the Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He mostly worked with the first-string offense this summer, but his season-long role is in doubt after the Chargers drafted WRs Tre Harris (second round) and KeAndre Lambert-Smith (fifth round) and signed Keenan Allen. The depth chart may be fluid beyond leading man Ladd McConkey.
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Scott Miller WR | PIT
Steelers' Scotty Miller: Effective in exhibition victory
Miller secured all three of his targets for 82 yards during the Steelers' 19-10 preseason win over Carolina on Thursday.
Miller capped off an impressive preseason Thursday, as he recorded at least 38 receiving yards in each of his three appearances. In total, he secured all nine of his targets for 167 yards. Although the Steelers rested Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf throughout the preseason, it's possible that Miller's production earns him some playing time once the regular season gets underway, especially if the team doesn't acquire another receiver.
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Lance McCutcheon WR | TEN
Steelers' Lance McCutcheon: Finds end zone in preseason finale
McCutcheon secured three of four targets for 52 yards and a touchdown during Thursday's 19-10 preseason win over the Panthers.
After being held without a catch during last week's exhibition matchup, McCutcheon ended the preseason on a high note Thursday, and he recorded the team's lone touchdown in the victory. Despite his performance Thursday, the 26-year-old seems like a long shot to make the Steelers' 53-man roster.
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Tai Felton WR | MIN
Vikings' Tai Felton: Apparent arm injury
Felton exited a camp-closing scrimmage early on Wednesday with what appeared to be a hand or arm injury, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Felton's availability for Saturday's preseason game isn't clear. It doesn't sound like a serious injury, but watch his status next week. Felton is battling with Lucky Jackson for the No. 4 spot on the wideout depth chart -- a role that could end up being significant early in the season with Jordan Addison set to miss the first three games due to a suspension.
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Jimmy Horn Jr. WR | CAR
Panthers' Jimmy Horn: Catches lone target
Horn caught his lone target for 13 yards in Thursday's 19-10 preseason loss to Pittsburgh.
The rookie sixth-round pick finishes his inaugural preseason with six catches for 29 yards on seven targets. Horn didn't make any noise toward a meaningful Week 1 role, but he at least seems on track for one of the final roster spots, with a chance to return kicks and/or punts.
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Jalen Coker WR | CAR
Panthers' Jalen Coker: Not targeted
Coker (illness) wasn't targeted in Thursday's preseason loss to Pittsburgh.
Panthers coach Dave Canales implied that Coker might've been rested Thursday if he hadn't missed the previous preseason game with an illness. The second-year pro played the first couple of drives with Carolina's second-string offense, which is the unit he saw the most work with this summer. There was talk of Coker pushing Xavier Legette for playing time, however, and now Adam Thielen trade rumors offer another potential path to a significant role. For the time being, Coker projects as Carolina's No. 4 wide receiver for a Week 1 matchup with Jacksonville.
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Hunter Renfrow WR | CAR
Panthers' Hunter Renfrow: Quiet in preseason finale
Renfrow caught two of three targets for five yards in Thursday's preseason loss to Pittsburgh.
The Panthers rested most of their starters and some key backups, allowing Renfrow, Jalen Coker and David Moore to take most of the WR snaps early on. Renfrow didn't show much Thursday night, but recent trade rumors regarding Adam Thielen perhaps offer Renfrow a path to some kind of role with Carolina early in the season. There's also a chance the 29-year-old slot specialist has to settle for a spot on the practice squad or is let go entirely before Week 1.
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Javon Baker WR | SF
Patriots' Javon Baker: Finishes without a catch
Baker finished without a catch on two targets in Thursday's 42-10 preseason loss to the Giants.
He was quiet during the preseason and didn't seem to make much noise at training camp, which puts Baker on the roster bubble one year after being a fourth-round pick. Injuries to other wide receivers help his case, but even that might not be enough to keep Baker around on the Week 1 roster.
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Jalin Hyatt WR | NYG
Giants' Jalin Hyatt: Scores TD
Hyatt caught three of six targets for 36 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 42-10 preseason win over the Patriots.
Hyatt had a solid stat line but also let two downfield passes slip through his hands, perhaps showing why he's struggled to earn regular-season snaps and targets since the Giants made him a third-round pick in 2023. There have even been whispers about the roster bubble this summer, and Hyatt will likely just be fourth or fifth on the depth chart even if it turns out his job is safe.
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Brandon Johnson WR | DEN
Steelers' Brandon Johnson: Questionable to return Thursday
Johnson (foot) is questionable to return to Thursday's preseason finale against the Panthers, Burt Lauten of the Pittsburgh Steelers Communications reports.
Johnson suffered a foot injury in the first half against Carolina, placing some doubt on his ability to return. The wide receiver failed to record any stats before departing the game.